Late Decision

It’s Not Too Late to Apply to Bennington

Late is not necessarily bad; in fact, it may be the way forward for an increasing number of college applicants still looking for a right match.

Every spring, Bennington receives calls from our college counseling colleagues. They share stories of applicants who are either not satisfied with their options or wish to rethink them for various reasons and inquire about accepting a late application. Recently, other students are reconsidering where they want to learn and live for college altogether given the changing political, social, and physical climates. It’s with this context that Bennington now offers a new application round: Late Decision.

A New Application Round for College Admissions

Late Decision is a non-binding application round in the spring following Regular Decision. 

Just like other first-year application rounds, students may apply using the Common Application. Select Regular Decision and note that the application deadline has been extended to April 7.

Key Dates for Late Decision (2026)

• Admissions & Financial Aid applications due April 7
• Notification of admission decisions by April 17, then rolling
• April 27: BenningtonNext, on campus admitted student event. This is an ideal chance to visit our gorgeous campus and meet our remarkable students and faculty.
• May 1: Accepted student reply date (extensions may be available by request)

This round is for interested students who have not previously applied for admission to Bennington this academic year and is distinct from any waitlist admissions activity. We believe that holding space for competitive students coming to our process late is part of an accessible, holistic, and supportive admissions process, very much like the entire Bennington experience. 

To this end, we are guarding a very limited number of seats in the Class of 2030, including proportional merit- and need-based financial aid awards, for Late Decision applicants. Just like our prior application rounds earlier this cycle, we aim to meet demonstrated financial need at time of admission.

Bennington offers generous merit scholarships for talented students up to full tuition. Bennington aims to meet you and your family’s demonstrated financial need at time of admission. We’ve long been a test-optional school; although, deep intellectual curiosity, creativity, and a desire to positively change the world are strongly encouraged.  

PLEASE NOTE: Our selection process for Late Decision will be just as competitive – and likely more competitive – than our prior application rounds. We highly recommend applying to Bennington as early as possible.

8 Reminders About Bennington College

1. Nearly 100 years ago, Bennington was founded as a progressive liberal arts college to react to and build upon changes in society, technology, and culture.
2. It did not take long for Bennington to distinguish itself as a vanguard institution among American colleges for truly placing students at the helm of their own education supported by expert faculty guidance.
3. Bennington students develop their own unique Plan, a student-developed course of study based on their interest and goals.
4. With a mantra of “learning by doing,” every student at Bennington has four required internships as part of our annual Field Work Term. 
5. We were the first to centralize and prioritize the arts within the context of a liberal arts college. Bennington’s legacy is attributed to charting the course of modern dance, abstract expressionism, the “literary brat pack,” a modern mixing of musical genres and movements, and avant garde theatre.
6. Intentionally small and personal, Bennington enrolls nearly 1,000 students annually, including graduate students studying within our acclaimed MFA in Writing.
7. Nearly all undergraduates live on campus in houses run by students, each with a different ethos and traditions. They eat nourishing food, often from our own farm; throw themed campus events every Friday and Saturday evening; and embrace the extraordinary natural surroundings we call home. 
8. We aim to meet a student’s demonstrated financial need at time of admission via generous need- and merit-based aid. (Student cost of attendance ranges from $0 to $88,570.)

Apply Via Common Application or Coalition

Bennington offers students two different ways to apply, based on your preference—the Common App and Apply Coalition. If you are interested in the BFA Dance Lab, please see the application details and deadlines on our webpage.

The Common Application: Standard application, plus recommendations and transcripts. Learn more about the common application, including Bennington's application codes. Select Regular Decision and your application will be converted to the Late Decision round.

Apply Coalition with Scoir: Learn more about this platform option.